Southam
This is about the English town of Southam. For the Canadian newspaper chain see Southam Newspapers. There is also a village in Gloucestershire called Southam, see Southam, Gloucestershire
Southam is a small town in the Stratford-on-Avon district of Warwickshire, England with a population of around 6,000 (5,304 in the 1991 census). Around 2000 people live in the local villages that surround it.
The nearest big town to Southam is Leamington Spa located roughly 7 miles (11 km) east of the town. Southam is located on the river Stowe, which flows from Napton-on-the-Hill. The dominant rock type for the area is blue lias clay.
The town for many years had a small cement and quarrying industry run by Rugby Portland Cement. Cement production was halted and moved to nearby Rugby, in the mid-1990s, however quarrying at the site continues.
Transport links
Southam is located between Leamington Spa and Daventry (on the A425) and between Coventry and Banbury (on the A423). The A426 connects it to Rugby. This has meant that Southam has become a rapidly growing commuter town in recent years. Southam lies not far from Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare.
Southam is located a few miles from the M40, and due to its location has excellent road links. Taxi firms and minicab companies opperate within the area. The closest station is at Leamington Spa. In recent years frequent bus services have begun to serve Southam and the local villages.
Facilities
Southam has three primary schools, and a secondary school (Southam College) that has around 1000 students from Southam and the local villages. It has a few smaller supermarkets and many pubs within the town itself and the local villages, most of them serve food.
History
Southam can trace its history back to time of the Anglo-Saxons. And was mentioned in the Domesday Book.
Southam is mentioned in Henry VI, part 3 by William Shakespeare in Act V, Scence I (Lines 10 - 16):
Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick Say, Somerville, what says my loving son?
And, by thy guess, how nigh is Clarence now?
Duke of Somerset At Southam I did leave him with his forces,
And do expect him here some two hours hence. [Drum heard]
War. Then Clarence is at hand, I hear his drum.
Som. It is not his, my lord; here Southam lies:
The drum your honour hears marcheth from Warwick.
Southam also has connections to the English Civil War - King Charles I passed through the town just prior to the outbreak of war, and apparently was not made welcome by the townsfolk who refused to ring the church bells.
Later in 1642 he stayed in Southam before the Battle of Edgehill. And in 1645, Oliver Cromwell stayed in the town along with 7,000 Roundhead troops.